savant

 

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savant

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Borrowed from French savant, from Latin sapiō. Doublet of sapient. Sense 3 is a clipping of idiot savant, literally ‘wise idiot’.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /sæˈvɑnt/, /səˈvɑnt/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈsæv.ənt/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: (General American) -ɑnt

savant (plural savants)

1. A person of learning, especially one who is versed in literature or science.
2. A person who is considered eminent because of their achievements.
3. A person with significant mental disabilities who is very gifted in one area of activity, such as playing the piano or mental arithmetic.

   Synonym: idiot savant

• (learned person): erudite, expert

• (intellectually talented person): genius, prodigy, savante (rare female equivalent)

• Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “savant”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

• avants, sat nav, sat-nav, satnav

Old present participle of the verb savoir (modern: sachant).

• IPA^(key): /sa.vɑ̃/

• Audio:

  (file)

savant (feminine savante, masculine plural savants, feminine plural savantes)

1. scholarly, scientific
2. perfect

   savant mélange

   perfect blend

• érudit, though the two are often juxtaposed (savants being portrayed as wise, the erudite as book-smart)

• emprunt savant
• nom savant
• singe savant

• savamment
• savoir

savant m (plural savants, feminine savante)

1. scholar, scientist

savant

1. (obsolete) present participle of savoir

• “savant”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

• avants, vantas

savant

1. Alternative form of savynge

Borrowed from French savant.

savant m (plural savanți)

1. scholar, scientist